Sony’s hifi division makes very high quality devices.
You were probably spoilt by the HAP-Z1ES.
Return the dinner frips and be happy with the Sony.
Audiophiles will only feel "elusive" if some guy builds crap for them working out of his garage. But, these bigger dogs like Sony, Yamaha, Technics, etc who’ve been around the block (engineering clout's on a higher notch) can easily make the garage manufacturers look like imbeciles. So, don’t ever feel bad about owning a Sony.
I’m a shocked that it have not experienced the system transformation ive heard so much about. I run a Sony hap Z1es and the internal dac sounds much punchier/ cleaner than the 15th